TALLAHASSEE — Republican candidate for governor Rick Scott wasted no time Wednesday and immediately filed an appeal of federal Judge Robert Hinkle's decision to deny his request for an injunction to block the release of state funds to his rival under Florida's public finance law.

He also asked for the fast-tracked ruling since the state is scheduled to cut a check to Attorney General Bill McCollum, Scott's GOP challenger, by Aug. 6, a week after Scott files his expense report. The millionaire health care executive is expected to show he has exceeded a $24.9 million spending cap, triggering the release of public funds.

Thursday, attorneys for McCollum and Secretary of State Dawn Roberts filed motions against the expedited ruling, suggesting that Scott file his initial brief in the appeal on July 23 and Roberts and McCollum could respond by Aug. 3. Both argue that no oral arguments are needed.